A Couple’s Long Weekend in Sierra County

By guest writer & future visitor Rene Morozowich

Looking to get away for a long weekend with your love? Look no further than Sierra County, New Mexico. Below we have an itinerary for a long weekend — 4 days and 3 nights (Thursday afternoon – Sunday morning) — that is the perfect mix of relaxation, scenery, good food and together time.

Best time to visit

There’s no bad time to visit Sierra County. There are almost 300 sunny days per year in Sierra County on average (for comparison, the US average is around 200 days). There’s also less snow and rain overall (on average only about 50 days per year). Citation.

The itinerary below includes plenty of outdoor activities; the summers are hot, though, so for comfort, the best time to visit is probably be any time between September and June.

Traveling to Sierra County

Whether you’re flying into Albuquerque Sunport or El Paso International Airport, it’s a two hour drive to Elephant Butte / Truth or Consequences. Check out the car rental companies available at either airport (Albuquerque | El Paso).

If you’re driving, here are the travel times from some common origins:

Santa Fe, NM – 3 hours
Roswell, NM – 3.5 hours
Tucson, AZ – 4.5 hours
Phoenix, AZ – 6 hours
Amarillo or Lubbock, Texas – 6 hours
Marfa, Texas – 4.5 hours
Pueblo, CO – 6.5 hours

Where to stay

There are a variety of hotels in Sierra County — many of which have in-room or on-site hot spring mineral baths. Some that don’t include springs may have package deals that include a massage and a soak at hot springs nearby. The following do have hot springs in-room or on-site and some also offer additional spa treatments:

Plan Ahead

Be sure to book your lodging 2-4 months in advance. If you’re planning any excursions or spa treatments, book those 1-2 weeks in advance. For dinner reservations and regular soaks, call the day before.

Because we’ll be outdoors and taking advantage of the various hot springs in the area, don’t forget to pack your bathing suit (not necessary in private baths but required for a dip in public baths, the lake, or to float the river), sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. We also recommend good walking shoes and light layers of clothing.

Day 1 (Thursday)

After your drive, check in to your hotel. If you are staying at a hotel with on-site or in-room hot springs, enjoy a pre-dinner soak. For dinner, stop over to Point Blanc Winery, Taproom & Pizzeria, where indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Day 2 (Friday)

Start your first full day at Mile Marker 7 Coffee or, for a full breakfast, the Grapevine Bistro. Hit up the Visitor’s Center, then take a leisurely stroll through downtown Truth or Consequences (start on North Broadway and circle up Main Avenue).

Immerse yourself in the art scene at Zia Gallery (closed in the summer), Rio Bravo Fine Art, Desert Archaic, Grapes Gallery and Light of the Soul. Take a trip to the past on the antiques and resale trail at Wild Coyote Arts, 303 Gallery, Forget About It, Galactic Digs, Junkology, and (a few blocks from downtown, at Cedar & 4th) Don’s Den.

Shop for gifts and souvenirs at Dust, Miner’s Claim, A Touch of Yesterday, or The Annex T or C.

Break for lunch at the Pacific Grill or Tony’s Mexican Restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Spa at Sierra Grande for a soak and couple’s massage.

Follow it up with dinner (and ice cream) at Casa Taco or Bigfoot Restaurant and a drive along the lake — the Dam overlook, and the Dam Site are scenic spots with an interesting history.

Take in the beautiful New Mexico night sky with a little stargazing.

Day 3 (Saturday)

Enjoy the great outdoors and all that Southwestern New Mexico has to offer on your third day. If you’re visiting from June through October, stop by the farmer’s market.

Grab some coffee and snacks from Ingo’s Art Cafe, and:

Float six miles down the Rio Grande with Whitewater Weekends (seasonal, dependent on river flow)
Hike the West Lakeshore Trail at Elephant Butte State Park (click the Trail Map for details)
Take an ecotour of one of Ted Turner’s mega ranches
Head out to Elephant Butte Lake with Land of Enchantment Fishing & Hunting Adventures to fish for stripers, whitebass, large and smallmouth bass, walleye and more
Visit one of the wilderness areas in the Gila National Forest